Transcending Individual Traditions: Zhang Taiyan’s Interpretation of Zhuangzi’s Notion of <i>Chengxin</i>
This article examines the nuanced interpretations of <i>chengxin</i> 成心 in the <i>Zhuangzi</i> 莊子, a foundational Daoist text, across different philosophical traditions. Historically, Daoist thinkers like Guo Xiang 郭象 and Cheng Xuanying 成玄英, along with Neo-Confucian scholars...
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2024-10-01
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| description | This article examines the nuanced interpretations of <i>chengxin</i> 成心 in the <i>Zhuangzi</i> 莊子, a foundational Daoist text, across different philosophical traditions. Historically, Daoist thinkers like Guo Xiang 郭象 and Cheng Xuanying 成玄英, along with Neo-Confucian scholars such as Lü Huiqing 吕惠卿 and Lin Xiyi 林希逸, have provided differing perspectives on the notion of <i>chengxin</i>. They regard it as either a source of subjective bias or an expression of heavenly principle. The core focus of this study is Zhang Taiyan’s 章太炎 innovative interpretation of <i>chengxin</i> as seeds (bijas) within ālaya-vijñāna (storehouse consciousness), integrating Yogācāra Buddhist concepts with traditional Daoist philosophy. The study conducts a textual analysis of Zhang’s <i>Qiwulun Shi</i> 齊物論釋, comparing his interpretation with earlier commentaries on the <i>Zhuangzi</i>. It is argued that Zhang’s approach is profoundly influenced by the Buddhist doctrine of non-duality, which underscores the interconnectedness of all phenomena. While Zhang’s interpretation has faced criticism from contemporaries and later philosophers for misunderstandings of Yogācāra theory and Kantian philosophy, it employs the method of <i>geyi</i> 格義 (matching concepts), not to impose one tradition over another, but to foster a dialogical process where the insights from each tradition mutually inform and transform one another. This article highlights the interpretative openness of the <i>Zhuangzi</i>, which invites diverse interpretations, and demonstrates how Zhang’s approach enriches this tradition by synthesizing various philosophical and religious frameworks. Zhang’s methodology remains relevant, fostering cross-cultural and inclusive philosophical dialog. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
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| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj-art-3b53c35c896242daa2ec98a27eec97c92024-11-26T18:19:14ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442024-10-011511130910.3390/rel15111309Transcending Individual Traditions: Zhang Taiyan’s Interpretation of Zhuangzi’s Notion of <i>Chengxin</i>Cheng Wang0Center for Studies of History of Chinese Language/Research Institute for Ancient Books, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaThis article examines the nuanced interpretations of <i>chengxin</i> 成心 in the <i>Zhuangzi</i> 莊子, a foundational Daoist text, across different philosophical traditions. Historically, Daoist thinkers like Guo Xiang 郭象 and Cheng Xuanying 成玄英, along with Neo-Confucian scholars such as Lü Huiqing 吕惠卿 and Lin Xiyi 林希逸, have provided differing perspectives on the notion of <i>chengxin</i>. They regard it as either a source of subjective bias or an expression of heavenly principle. The core focus of this study is Zhang Taiyan’s 章太炎 innovative interpretation of <i>chengxin</i> as seeds (bijas) within ālaya-vijñāna (storehouse consciousness), integrating Yogācāra Buddhist concepts with traditional Daoist philosophy. The study conducts a textual analysis of Zhang’s <i>Qiwulun Shi</i> 齊物論釋, comparing his interpretation with earlier commentaries on the <i>Zhuangzi</i>. It is argued that Zhang’s approach is profoundly influenced by the Buddhist doctrine of non-duality, which underscores the interconnectedness of all phenomena. While Zhang’s interpretation has faced criticism from contemporaries and later philosophers for misunderstandings of Yogācāra theory and Kantian philosophy, it employs the method of <i>geyi</i> 格義 (matching concepts), not to impose one tradition over another, but to foster a dialogical process where the insights from each tradition mutually inform and transform one another. This article highlights the interpretative openness of the <i>Zhuangzi</i>, which invites diverse interpretations, and demonstrates how Zhang’s approach enriches this tradition by synthesizing various philosophical and religious frameworks. Zhang’s methodology remains relevant, fostering cross-cultural and inclusive philosophical dialog.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/11/1309Zhuangzi<i>chengxin</i>YogācāraZhang Taiyaninterpretation |
| spellingShingle | Cheng Wang Transcending Individual Traditions: Zhang Taiyan’s Interpretation of Zhuangzi’s Notion of <i>Chengxin</i> Religions Zhuangzi <i>chengxin</i> Yogācāra Zhang Taiyan interpretation |
| title | Transcending Individual Traditions: Zhang Taiyan’s Interpretation of Zhuangzi’s Notion of <i>Chengxin</i> |
| title_full | Transcending Individual Traditions: Zhang Taiyan’s Interpretation of Zhuangzi’s Notion of <i>Chengxin</i> |
| title_fullStr | Transcending Individual Traditions: Zhang Taiyan’s Interpretation of Zhuangzi’s Notion of <i>Chengxin</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | Transcending Individual Traditions: Zhang Taiyan’s Interpretation of Zhuangzi’s Notion of <i>Chengxin</i> |
| title_short | Transcending Individual Traditions: Zhang Taiyan’s Interpretation of Zhuangzi’s Notion of <i>Chengxin</i> |
| title_sort | transcending individual traditions zhang taiyan s interpretation of zhuangzi s notion of i chengxin i |
| topic | Zhuangzi <i>chengxin</i> Yogācāra Zhang Taiyan interpretation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/11/1309 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT chengwang transcendingindividualtraditionszhangtaiyansinterpretationofzhuangzisnotionofichengxini |